Finding a Place for Your Misery

Gifted Clay:
As you guys know by now, I am always trying to locate the lesson in every situation. That’s how I learn. That’s how I grow. Well, i have been debating lately about this whole idea of singleness (at 40). And how to cope with it. Because to be honest with you, I miss being in love and having someone (the RIGHT someone) being in love with me. So, for the past few months and weeks I have tried to process it all. I ran out of answers…until TODAY. Oh me. Oh my.

Today, this blessed Sunday, it all started to come together in my heart and mind. I decided to find a proper place for my “misery” (lol) of singleness. I decided to find a platform to use it to encourage and inspire others. Yes, I have no doubt that MR. SOULMATE is coming for me but I had to find a place to stand and cope until he comes into my life. You may not be facing a relationship issue maybe you are waiting for something else. Whatever you are waiting for…someone needs your strength while you wait. Because they are waiting for that same thing as well. One of my former pastors, Bishop Gary Wright, said something many years ago and it always stuck in my heart. He said “Out of Your Misery Comes Your Ministry”. I so agree. Hint to the wise: Ministry is not always in the pulpit. Ministry is bigger than just a pulpit. Ask Jesus. Follow His account.

I am so very excited about using my current singleness to heal someone else during their journey of singleness or whatever they may be facing. Find a place for your misery. It can go from being a deslate place to being a beautiful place. Come with me and try it.

Manifested Dreams in 2010,
Melody Sherra

Love Fridays…and Love Saturdays—Don’t Block Your Blessings

Gifted Clay:
Yes, I know you guys did not hear from me on yesterday for our special Friday conversation about LOVE. I had to kind of regroup from Thanksgiving. I had a wonderful Thanksgiving and I hope that you did too. I rested and had time to think about my life…and yours. I thought about the power of relationships. I thought about how EASY it is to overlook your blessings. We all have our preferences, opinions and desires. I certainly do. But as I have had time to evaluate life these past twelve months of personal solitude. I’ve thought about the things in life that really matter in a healthy relationship. I must say that I have not always thought soberly about what was important in a lasting relationship. I used to have this unrealistic picture of prince charming. I laugh at myself as I think about this. But what is interesting is that I firmly believe that you can be realistic And still expect the very best for—YOU!

There is a different BEST for all of us. We all have different views, different needs and a different destiny. We are all uniquely creted and designed. But what I have learned is that we must keep our eyes and ears open, and especially our hearts because you dont know where love will find you. And more importantly, you do not know the package that it may come wrapped in.

Lets talk about the packages that we sometimes overlook. No, I am not currently in a committed relationship, but because of my personal growth and progress…I feel that 2011 will be my year for that wonderful part of my life. So, everything that I am about to say to you is my own personal perspective and what I have come to learn. Okay, here we go…Your soulmate may be closer than you think. He or she may be a stranger you meet on your next trip, someone who sits beside you at the doctor’s office, a co-worker, a childhood friend, a neighbor, a church member, your favorite teller at the bank, your child’s teacher, the person who delivers your mail or even your closest friend. I used to say that I would never fall in love with a friend. But I had to destroy that “never” list and I have since opned my heart to “possibilities”. I do not know who, what, when or where but what I DO know is that my heart and mind are open to so many new possibilities of how he and I will be brought together. I just know that I still get “good gossebumps” when I think of that.

I have also come to realize that there are NO perfect people. Why? Wake up, you and I ARE NOT PERFECT OURSELVES! I do not have kids but it is likely that my soul mate will have kids so I will have to make room for that adjustment. I don’t have beautiful feet (which many women will not admit) so he will have to deal with that from me (lol). No, my feet are not little monsters but they are not little beauties either. I am a very unique female and my perspectives on life are quite interesting. I need a man who can understand that. Many of my views are conservative and some are all out the box (lol). I understand that a man my age (I’m 40) and older may be more of a home-body than I am. I still lilke a rather fast paced life and a fun-filled evening. Again, adjustments. I rise early and stay up late (not always because I want to) and he may be different. I do not come from a close-knit family. My mom and I are EXTREMELY close but that’s about the extent of the closeness of my (biological) family. He may have a strong family background and find my lack of a big family to be an adjustment on his radar. But for someone like myself with little biological family, I have always had this HUGE desire to be a part of a huge family. Amazing.

The list of ways that we can block our blessings can go on endlessly. Both men and women do it. My point is to encourage each reader NOT TO OVERLOOK THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE BASED on wealth, height, race, proximity, friendship, age, body-type and all of the other things that may not matter when it comes to LIFE-LONG LOVE. So, think about your list of qualifications (most of us have them) and think about the things you have listed that just may block you from recognizing your soul-mate. Adjust your list in order to enjoy your life—with that person who God intended for you to love with, live your life with and bless the world with. Thus don’t block the blessing of your soul mate.

Manifested Blessings in 2010,
Melody Sherra

Real Holiday GATHERING and GIVING

Gifted Clay:
How is everyone today? I’m well. Excited about life. I hope that you are as well. It is holiday season and people are in all sorts of moods and mindsets. Some good. Some melancholy. Some excited. Some sad. Some anxious. Some lonely. Some “whatever”. I don’t know where you are but maybe sharing my heart will enhance your heart wherever you find yourself.

The holidays are a time of gathering. Of course, it is a gathering of people but that’s NOT all that we gather during this special time. We gather our talents and treasures and share those things during the holidays. It is a gathering of thoughts and ambitions. Please do not lose hope if you do not have family or loved ones to share your company during the holidays. Why? I am so glad that you asked (smile). Because if you do feel alone during this time of gathering, you can use this space in time to do many things that involve gathering. I will list many of the things that have helped me during tough, lonely or when what I needed for my soul was not present. You may want to take this time of holiday to gather your thoughts and join me for a special gathering of sorts:
Learn new recipes that interest and excite YOUR taste buds
Find things in your life to complete (i.e. a favorite book, a building project, writing a song, organizing your life, etc). Completing a project boosts your morale tremendously.
Make a gift-giving list for AFTER the holidays. What? Yes, when the holidays are over, and it’s not a birthday or special occasion is when the GIVING should actually begin. Make a list of all of the people that need to be appreciated and celebrate at least one of those people every month. This type of planning takes your mind off of your lack. You will find so much value in your life when you bless others (for NO special occasion).
Use the time to gather your thoughts for forgiveness. Forgive every single person who has hurt you (including yourself). Cry it out. Scream it out. Write it out. Just release the anger and bitterness and finally forgive You’ll be surprised at how much lighter you will feel. What a wonderful way to begin the new year. No baggage. How about THAT as a reason to celebrate,
Gather all of your favorite activities by writing them on paper. And use this holiday time to actually DO them.
Decide by thinking long and hard on the gift or talent that you want to maximize in the upcoming year. Just decide on ONE solid thing that you will spend the next 12 months perfecting.
Listen to every song that makes you happy. Gather feel-good music from waaaay back in your life. Only listen to songs that perpetuate happy thoughts. Music is a powerful tool to combat sadness and loneliness.
Develop a list of all of your best qualities inside and outside. Don’t end the list until you have listed at least 100 of your best stuff. It can only be about YOU. Gather all 100 (or more) things about yourself. No help from others. This is a great way to learn to love YOU BETTER. Take as much time as you need during the holidays to formulate this powerful list. This is one of the most PRICELESS list you could ever gather. It can awaken a love for yourself in a whole new way. Remember: it’s very hard to give or receive love if you don’t know HOW to love you.
Decide to come out of debt. Create a plan. A goal. Stay focused until it happens.
If you need some help gathering money that matters:
www.apwebinar.com/melody or www.apflexplus.com/melody

This holiday IS a special time for you, you and ESPECIALLY you. Enjoy this time…no matter what. You are not alone. The holidays are your moments to shine and to GATHER…

Manifested Dreams in 2010,
Melody Sherra

Love Friday…Friday Love…#2

Gifted Clay, Gifted Clay, Gifted Clay:
Love is…a many splendid thing. Let’s talk about this world-class mystery. One can only speak of love as one has lived it for themselves. So, as many of you know by now, I AM NORMALLY PRETTY CLEAR ABOUT WHAT I WILL AND WILL NOT SHARE PUBLICLY. So, I have kind of of skated around this very open, yet very private subject called love—as it relaates to my life. But guess what…my 12 months of personal separation has allowed me to really want to talk more publicly about my experiences on love. Okey Dokey. Here we go…

If you have recently followed my blog, you know that I’ve now dedicated Fridays to talking about the one subject we all think about, are happy about or even sometimes regret—LOVE. Oh me. Oh my. So let’s begin this 2nd installment with talking about my expereinces in love. The best way for me to begin this “open discussion” is to say that the love between a man and a woman is one of God’s greatest gifts to mankind. There’s nothing in the world like it. So, to get me in the “mood” for later discussions about my life and love, I’m going to give you a list of brief statements about my experiences with love and my future desires.

Where love has carried me:
*To a glimpse of heaven
*Happy
*Sad
*Strong
*Giving
*Crazy
*Smooth
*Sharing
*Excited
*Lessons Learned
*No way
*Committed
*Amazing
*No matter what
*Brain on
*Rollercoaster
*Skyrocketed
*Dangerous
*Free
*Prayerful
*Whirlwind
*Forever and 8 Days
*Kind
*Afraid
*Laughter
*Long Drives
*Best Friends
*Romantic
*Sweet Nothings
*Chocolate
*Through it all
*Song after song after song
*His first letter to me
*Silly Jokes
*Never Knew
*Loved me into loving him
*Strange
*Collierville
*In his arms
*Long conversations til the wee hours
*Talked every day
*Fun times
*Specialty sodas
*Solitude
*Wisdom
*Always Together
*At the river
*Treasured moments
*Flirting
*Giving up (Donny Hathaway)
*Music, music, music
*Sing me a song
*Prayer
*Tears
*My, my, my
*Beard
More to come later. What words desribe your experiences in the arena of love?

Manifested Dreams in 2010,
Melody Sherra

I’m Ready. I’m Set. Lets Go. But Where?

Gifted Clay:
This is Part 2 from Wednesday. We have changed our minds from negative to positive in preparation for life-change. Have you? How so? For what purpose? What I know for sure is that a mental CHANGE is the foundation for everything else. So, I celebrate you for preparing your mind, first. If you have not begun removing the negativity, I recommend that you do so now. I am ready to go…but where? Into my place of full potential. That can only happen when we understand our purpose. So, I challenge yopu to stop and examine all aspects of your daily life, routines and encounters. Does it all line up with your purpose? Do the people you spend your time with line up with your purpose? Does the person you’ve given your hrart to line up with your purpose?

Everything we consistently do adds to or subtracts from our life purpose. Everyone we consistently spend our time with…adds to or subtracts from our purpose. I need for you to think about this long and hard. These are the things that I had to consider the past 2 years. I began to actively re-evaluate it all for the past 12 months. As a result my focus is clear. My sense of self is keener. My vision is bigger. And my heart is now ready. Ready for what?? Wouldn’t you guys like to know…Keep checking back. (smile)

Now, you must prepare for your “where”. There you will find true purpose and true peace. How wonderful.

Manifested Dreams in 2010,
Melody Sherra

Ready. Set. Go.

Ready. Set. Go.

Good Morning Gifted Clay:
If you are like I am this morning, you are in desperate need of “change”. Man oh man, I need that as well, this beautiful morning. You know how sometimes you just need something, somewhere to be DIFFERENT—me too. So, let’s create a game plan for change—together. Here we go.

First, lets remove all excuses and negativity. Wherever we find ourselves this morning, we can change some things. Oh yes we can. Whatever the situation, we can change something. How? Well, I’m so glad you asked (smile). The first thing we are going to change is our MIND. Most of us have programmed our minds to “accept the inevitable”. We tend to feel like “if it can happen, it will happen”. Well ladies and gentlemen, I have news for you and it is this: KILL ALL THAT JUNK!!! That type of thinking brings trash (defeat) to the mind. I once heard someone say “GOD ALWAYS HAS A PLAN B FOR YOUR LIFE”. That simply means that its not over. We have to program our minds to expect MORE, BETTER & A BETTER DAY AHEAD. In spite of whatever we are facing, we must change our way of thinking in order to change our way of living. So, lets do “brain surgery” this morning by removing doubt, fear, negative words, past hurts, disappointments, unforgiveness (even not forgiving ourselves), death of loved ones and all of the other negatives we hang on to throughout the day.

My challenge to you today is to keep a record of all of your negative thoughts and words throughout the day. You will clearly see how your thoughts control your actions (or lack thereof) and how your actions are sabotaging your life. Guys, thoughts are very powerful. Words are even MORE powerful. Lets make them both count towards change today. Let’s get ready—for change. Let’s get set—for change. Let’s go—for change. Remember to record all of your thoughts and words (and corresponding actions) to see why we must change the MIND first. Lets fix our minds on life-giving things today.

Remember these timeless words:
“For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence {and} is honorable {and} seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely {and} lovable, whatever is kind {and} winsome {and} gracious, if there is any virtue {and} excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on {and} weigh {and} take account of these things [fix your minds on them].” Philippians 4:8 (Amplified Translation)

We will continue this discussion on tomorrow.

Manifested Dreams in 2010,
Melody Sherra

NEW LIFE…

COURAGE FOR THE NEW

Gifted Clay:
Greetings to each of you today. I’m running a little behind in my day (already 8:30am) but I could not fail to share with you. I am so very excited about the new things that await us in life. I was thinking as I was eating my breakfast this morning (very unusual for me to want breakfast) and thinking about the vastness of this world. Guys, the world is filled with ENDLESS POSSIBLITIES, COMBINATIONS AND OPPORTUNITES FOR NEW! Have you ever thought about all of the wonderful things that are waiting for you to experience? It’s mind-boggling when you think of it in terms of the bounty of this world. Amazing.

I do not want to live life and MISS living life. Think about that for a moment. And guess what?? I don’t want to see you live and MISS life. This can happen when you do not engage in a passionate pursuit of life. Life must be lived with a desire for discovery. Discover the city a few miles away instead of always driving through it. Discover a new book. Discover a new program to watch on television. Discover the robust flavors of a new dish. Discover a new flower. Just discover. Go for it. New awaits you.

It does take courage to pursue new things. It takes courage to think outside the box—especially if those around you do not “get” your new vision. It takes courage to visit a new place or drive into the unknown. And the beauty of new experiences is that you don’t have to like it after you’ve tried it. The point is to just try it—-at least once. I pray that today you will release your security blanket called “routine” and take the opportunity to try something totally wholesome and totally brand new. I believe in you. You have the courage. Use it. The whole world is at your feet.

Let’s Talk About Love…”Love Fridays”- #1

Gifted Clay Family:
Hello to you. I am so excited to be sharing with you on this morning. I promised you earlier in the week to stay tuned because I would be talking about the infamous subject called LOVE. Let’s talk about love. I have decided to talk about the subject of love EACH FRIDAY for awhile. I thought you would enjoy that. So, let’s call this weekly “segment” Love Fridays—until we can decide on a better title (smile). So, gear up. Put on your seatbelts. Get ready for the love ride to begin. I cannot wait to hear your weekly comments about the word that’s been on everybody’s mind since the beginning of time…LOVE.

Let me begin by saying that love comes in so many forms, reasons, levels and perspectives. There is the love that parents have for your children and then the love for your mentor. There is the love for your pet and the love for the doctor who saved your life. There is the love between siblings and the love a grandparent has for their grandchildren. So many forms, types, colors and octaves of…LOVE. And certainly we will not dare fail to speak of the love that one experiences in that committed, long-term relationship between a man and woman that every playwrite, screen writer, songwriter, poet and novelist has filled the pages of their craft trying to interpret and convey to the world. Guys, LOVE IS A POWERFUL THING.

Love is so powerful that it causes some to live a life of desperate actions because of the lack thereof. Love is so powerful that even newborns sense the feeling of the mother who carried them when their arms pass them to a visiting stranger. That new life cries with a loud sound until that nurturing mother receives them back into their loving arms. Wow. Love is so powerful until those who have had it and lost it often spend their lives with the burden of regret. Love has the power to propel right and wrong decisions. That’s love. It causes the powerful to become powerless in the cages of its grip. It causes the restless to be at peace. Love makes music so real and alive. It makes the stars shine brighter and the moonlight to guide the night. Love also has the intensity to cause rage, fury and an aggressive nature that one never deemed possible. Love is…

Love brings joy, sacrifice, solidarity, comfort, unselfishness and perspective. It can make you focus or lose focus. Love, what power! Song after song after song has been written, sung, swooned and rehearsed beacuse of that four-letter word, L-O-V-E.. Oh me, oh my. Love can come quickly and stays long. And other times it rises slowly and lasts a lifetime. Millions never experience it. Even more live to regret it. Many are favored to know it, seize it, live it and make it last forever. Some discover it after death (as Lisa Marie said of Michael Jackson after his passing) when its too late. Others treasure it in life, yet lose it in death. Many die too soon because of it. Love, love, love…

Love has it’s own beauty, passion, reason, description, development and corresponding action for every single individual. Love is so vast, yet so direct. Love is so spectacular yet so painful. Love heals you and can definitely hurt you like nothing else. Love makes you give up and hold on…all in one breath. Love has the capacity to kill one thing and bring life to something else. That’s love. Love is so self-sacrificing to some and so self-fulfilling to others. One writer said it best when said that it is a MANY SPLENDID THING!

I say, that love is a beautiful thing with all of it’s complications, implications and applications, LOVE IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE (to me) a TRULY BEAUTIFUL THING. I do not always understand it. But I always appreciate it’s presence. For most of my first 40 years of living, I have meditated about it and I STILL treasure it’s potential. I have experienced it’s joys, pain, highs and lows but I have nothing but love for it (LOVE)—SMILE. I treasure it in it’s many forms, classes, directions, phases and all of it’s dynamics. It’s one of God’s greatest creations for mankind to interpret and experience. Love has no color. Love has it’s own personality. It has no one song beacuse love IS a song. I can hardly wait for the Fridays ahead to talk to /with you about LOVE. How fascinating of a journey this will be for each of us.

The greatest, strongest and the most incomprehensible of all love and the one to shape all other forms is that of the love of God. No greater love exists than this love that God has for us. GOD IS LOVE. How amazing is that. It’s impossible to fully wrap our brains around that concept. No matter who we are or what we do, His love remains the same. Consequences change according to our actions, but His love remains the same. In examining this matter called love each Friday, let’s keep in mind that God loves you, you and you. And it’s only in accepting His great love that we are able learn the essence of true love—-on any and every level. We then learn how to LOVE GOD MORE. In loving Him more, we are better equipped to love someone else—in a real way.

So, join me for this love discussion on Fridays. It will be fun, compelling and I pray “life-changing” for each of you. Remember: “Love Fridays“…with Gifted Clay and Melody Sherra. Stay tuned.

Manifested Dreams (Manifested Love) in 2010,
Melody Sherra

Conversation! Conversation! Good Conversation!

Gifted Clay:
Good Morning. It’s 5:37am at the time of this writing. What time is it where you are, at the time you are reading this? Hmmm….(lol). I hope that things are well for you. If not, I pray that your life will be strengthened after visiting this site. I just appreciate you for stopping by.

This morning I awakened and thought about the power of good conversation. I had the pleasure of having a rather long conversation with a new friend last night but it only seemed like a few minutes. An amazingly rich exchange of words. The conversation lasted almost 3 hours and I think I could have easily talked 3 more hours if time had permitted. I was so charged and energized at the end of the conversation until I asked myself some questions about the power of good conversation.

I pondered the way good conversation opens up your mind and your thoughts. It’s like the fresh air in mid-temperature weather. Yes, that’s the power it brings. It reminds you of beauty and it makes sense of some pain. It nudges you to take more risks in life and be more careful—all at the same time. Wow! Good conversation brings freedom from the opinions of others. Why? Because at the moment you are deeply engaged in the artistry of conversation, you realize that your words, your opinions, your perspectives connected to that other person’s verbal exchanges are what matter to carry that conversation. It’s during those moments that you realize the rest of the world’s opinions about you don’t make a difference in this transforming experience called “conversation”. Correction: GOOD conversation.

Man oh man. We talked about everything from kite flying to black painted walls. From musical instruments to childhood memories. We talked about favorite sitcoms from the 70’s (one in particular). We talked about the pain and suffering of others and how we would like to lend a hand of comfort and solution. We talked about restaurants and the variations that they offer. We even speculated about a restaurant in New York that serves you in the dark and what an experience that must be. From understanding musical notes to understanding Melody Sherra, the conversation played all the right chords. Talking is just important anyway, but good conversation turns it into an art form. What I later discovered about the conversation there were a lot of missing ingredients. What were they? It missed gossip, slander, negativity, competition, intimidation, vulgarity, immorality, lying, selfishness and all of the other negatives. In other words the “missing ingredients” were such a blessing to be MISSING. Those are contaminating ingredients / components that cause so many to miss out on Good Conversation.

One thing I noticed in this verbal exchange last evening was the abundance of positive re-enforcement. We complimented each other. We supported each other. We found value in the other person’s opinions. We talked AND LISTENED (so important). There was a building up of one another and not tearing down. When was the last time you engaged in good, wholesome conversation?

Another thing about a good conversation is that it can take you through a wide spectrum of emotion. It takes you on a journey of endless possibilities. It adds joy, vitality, vigor, newness, expectation and belief that we so desperately need in order to strengthen our faith and reveal our purpose. It reminds you of how FAAAR you’ve come in your journey called “life”.
And certainly the essence of a good conversation should inspire you to take the time to…LOVE GOD MORE!

Oh my, what a splendid and worthwhile conversation. I pray that you will find someone TODAY that will give to you the gift of good, authentic, laugh-out loud, thought-provoking, old-fashioned… conversation. That is my prayer for you on this wonderful Wednesday.

Manifested Dreams in 2010,
Melody Sherra

Dedicated To The One I Believe In (That’s YOU)

Gifted Clay:

Good morning. I awakened this morning at 4 a.m. (body still adjusting to time change). I went back to sleep until 5am. And I had a looong and strengthening talk with my Heavenly Father. Always so refreshing. Have you ever been so close to a profound positive, life-changing breakthrough until the world seems to fall out underneath you as the best is coming? But you know that the falling out is only temporary because the breakthrough FAAAAAR OUTWEIGHS THE OBSTACLES. You know, NOTHING CAN BLOCK YOUR BREAKTHROUGH—unless you give up!!! Hallelujah! I’m smiling as I am typing this to you..

Guys, we can make it. Breakthrough is upon us. Don’t give up now. Don’t quit. Things are changing. The sun is about to break through the clouds. There is a plan set forth for your life. Forgive your past!!! Yes, FORGIVE YOUR PAST!! This is YOUR time. It’s your season for something great to happen.

Use your past (whether good, bad or indifferent) to BEAR FRUIT TODAY! Forgive yourself. Yes, Forgive yourself. And please forgive others (even if they treated you completely wrong) Heal yourself through prayer, time and process. I am living proof of the value of the process. There is power in PROCESS! Process allows you to live your life learning lessons instead of being held back by regrets. Think about the things that have held you back. Think of the memories that you continue to suppress but they continue to haunt you. Ladies & gentleman, its time to LIVE. It’s time to LEARN. If you need to trust someone enough to share your past, then it’s time to LEAN!! If your present circumstances block your breakthrough then LEAVE. Leave the pain of the losses behind. Leave negative stuff behind you. Leave haters . Leave bad habits. And guess what else most people don’t think to leave??? Most people forget to leave behind EXCUSES. No excuses allowed. We’ve all had challenges. You are NOT alone So, let’s kill the excuses and move into your purpose and destiny. It’s also time to LOVE. It’s time to RECEIVE GOD’S LOVE. He is not the God of only Thanksgiving, & Christmas. He’s the God of every single day. He’s not just the God for people who’ve been morally good. He is God for those who have made BAD CHOICES in life. God’s love is not based upon anything good or bad. His LOVE is just EVER PRESENT TO EVERYONE at ALL TIMES in ANY situation. It’s also time to LOVE yourself. Celebrate yourself. Make time for yourself.. Fill your life with new and beneficial experiences. Live STRONGER in order to live longer. Love yourself enough to change when needed. Surround yourself with others who love you. LIVE ON PURPOSE AND IN PURPOSE.

Digest all that I’ve shared today. And tomorrow we will talk about LOVE… on a different level. Hmmm…
Tune in tomorrow.

Manifested Dreams in 2010,
Melody Sherra